On Collin's Pond

Where your best memories are made

A Day to Remember Forever

Whether it's a wedding, birthday or tea party

let us help you with your celebration
at our beautiful, spacious venue!

Event Packages and Amenities

Welcome

Intimate Garden Wedding 8-Hour Package

Welcome to On Collin’s Pond, an intimate garden venue.  Located on an established private estate of 30 plus years, our venue offers an experience like no other in the Treasure Valley.  At On Collin’s Pond, we specialize in beautiful garden events for the client with a guest list of 50 or fewer.  Our 2-acre grounds lined by mature trees include beautiful water gardens, koi pond, old-world greenhouse, fire pit, sweet shoppe, cottage gardens and a beautifully finished day-lodge.  A tranquil escape just minutes from town, strolling the grounds of On Collin’s Pond is like taking a step back to a simpler time and place with its’ park like atmosphere.

Doing what we do best… beginning 2023, On Collin’s Pond will be focusing on Intimate Garden Wedding and Event Packages. Please see details below.

Intimate Garden Wedding (Saturday) 8-Hour Rental Package
For guest count up to 50 - Contact OCP for pricing

This package consists of a 8-hour rental on the day of the event, with a 3-hour drop-off/rehearsal the day prior.

Contact On Collin’s Pond for details.

Intimate Garden Wedding 6-Hour Package

Intimate Garden Wedding (Saturday) 6-Hour Rental Package
For guest count up to 50 - Contact OCP for pricing

This package consists of a 6-hour rental on the day of the event, with a 3-hour drop-off/rehearsal the day prior.

Contact On Collin’s Pond for details.

Elopement & Small Event 2-Hour Package

Elopement & Small Event (Saturday) 2-Hour Rental Package
For guest count up to 25 - Contact OCP for pricing

This package consists of a 2-hour rental on the day of the event, with a 1-hour drop-off/rehearsal the day prior.

Contact On Collin’s Pond for details.

Reception Only 4-Hour Package

Reception Only (Saturday) 4-Hour Rental Package
For guest count up to 50 - Contact OCP for pricing

 

This package consists of a 4-hour rental for receptions only.

Contact On Collin’s Pond for details.

Amenities Included

 As a courtesy to our clients, ON COLLIN’S POND LLC offers the following amenities as part of our facility rental package at no additional cost:

Use of one (1) classic vehicle for photo ops

Choice of Vintage style ladder arbour or Double door arch

Vintage mini chandelier for either arbour of arch

Two (2) wine barrels

Use of one (1) brass vintage hanger for gown photography 

Eleven (11) wooden 60” round banquet tables

Five (5) rustic wooden wedding tables with benches

Seven (7) plastic 72” folding rectangle special use tables

One (1) wooden  42” round special use table

White folding wedding chairs

Five (5) matching sets of vintage ice cream parlor tables and chairs

Three (3) White Sun Umbrellas

12×12 white canopy

Refrigerator

Two (2) Bluetooth speakers w/mic

Use of gazebo, all decks and patios

Use of greenhouse for photo ops

Globe lights strung in designated areas by ON COLLIN’S POND LLC

Use of Chelsea’s Sweet Shoppe – cake/dessert storage & photo ops

Use of fire pit (firewood included)

Six (6) 30″ white shepherd hooks

Brides’ room and indoor restroom (6 and 8 hour packages, bridal party only)

Up to two deluxe, pedal flushing outdoor restrooms with working sinks

Finished Day-Lodge *

* Although we are an outdoor venue, the interior of the day-lodge has been renovated and is a wonderful addition to the venue. The cedar panels and rustic decor create a cabin-like feel on the inside. Upstairs in the “Man Cave” there is a pool table, dart board, and television. It’s a great place for the groom and groomsmen to gather before the wedding.

Add-ons Available for Purchase

Chelsea's Sweet Shoppe

Rental Enhancement for Weddings and Custom Parties

Chelsea’s Sweet Shoppe is unique to our venue and named after our sweet daughter Chelsea. Since she is our real-life Disney princess, it only made sense that her love of dessert, and everything Disney, be the inspiration behind our Sweet Shoppe. It is our hope that when visiting our Sweet Shoppe, guests will have that same happy experience one might have when frequenting a Confectionery Shoppe found on Main Street in a Disney theme park. The Sweet Shoppe is equipped with a vintage service counter, baker’s rack stocked with apothecary jars, scoops, vintage refrigerator, vintage décor, vintage dishes, miscellaneous display essentials and 5 matching sets of vintage ice cream parlor tables and chairs. For an additional fee, OCP will purchase, display and assist with dispensing of sweets from the Shoppe, along with clean up before and after each event.

*Call for details and pricing. 

 

Classic Vehicle For Wedding Photos

Each wedding package includes the use of one classic car for photo ops for couples planning to marry at ON COLLIN’S POND LLC. Select either a 1932 Ford Pickup, 1929 Dodge Brothers Victory 6, 1953 Ford Pickup or 1956 Ford Fairlane.

Visits with Santa Phil

When the snowflakes fall… it’s the time of the year to capture the wonder and joy with a time treasured visit with Santa!

Scheduled appointments, contact On Collin’s Pond for details.

Meet Santa Phil

Santa Phil is a professional Santa located in Middleton, Idaho and is a member of the Idaho Santas, The International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas (IBRBS) and the World-Wide Santa Claus Network. Santa Phil was awarded his Associate Degree in Santa Clausology through the International University of Santa Claus (IUSC). Santa Phil is both insured and background checked.

Santa Phil is a father and grandfather who, throughout the course of raising his children, has enjoyed various volunteer roles working with children of all ages within the community.

Santa Encounters

Designed for children of all ages to enjoy a private visit with Santa in a relaxed, beautiful setting. Santa’s mailbox will be onsite for children to leave their letters for Santa. Each letter will receive a personal response from Santa. 

Santa Sessions

Santa Phil is available to professional photographers for Santa Sessions, both on and off property.  Contact On Collin’s Pond for details and booking.

PHOTO LOCATIONS

Santa’s Lodge & Workshop

Santa’s Sweet Shoppe

Garden Greenhouse

In the Pines on Property

Pond Gazebo

Photos by; Maria Kavanaugh Photography, Elevated Roots Image, Heather James Imagery, Lauren Gray Photography, Jacque Sudbrock Photography, CWolfkiel Photography, Misty Hartel Photography, OCP Photography and Wild Pfeiffer Photography.

Reviews and Comments

“Jessica and I had our wedding at On Collin’s Pond and we are absolutely amazed with our experience. The venue was very beautiful and featured many great photo backgrounds, and details. Not only was it beautiful but the space allowed us a comfortable landscape with plenty of room for all of our guests and items. Beyond the venue itself the owners Phil and Donna are wonderful people. They were extremely helpful and went above and beyond at every opportunity to make sure we had everything we needed. The work they do is amazing. I’m sure we will attend more family weddings here in the future with the impression that was left on us, our family, and friends. I couldn’t recommend On Collins Pond enough!”

Jaden D – 2023

“Truly the prettiest venue out there and the most kind, down-to-earth people to help you on your big day.  My husband and I are so thankful we got to get married here.”

Dani C – 2022

“An incredible venue and even more incredible hosts!!”

Kim G – 2022

“The only thing more amazing than the venue are the two of you!  Seriously the kindest people I have had the pleasure of meeting.”

Cassie L – 2022

“Phil and Donna, you are both amazing!”

Kayla G – 2022

“For as long as I live, I’ll never forget this piece of property that you have created and share with others to enjoy. Our day was perfect and we are just so grateful for you both. Words can’t express how much your kindness & generosity has meant to us. Providing us with such a beautiful venue & piece of land to marry each other will be something we never forget. You two are truly remarkable humans. Forever grateful!”

Jeremy & Yvonne – 2022

“Forever thankful for your beautiful venue and kindness.”

Elle B. – 2022

“If you are looking for a beautiful garden event, this is it! Donna and Phil are some of the nicest people I met, and the venue is just beautiful: the pond, gazebo, the greenhouse, hidden spots under the willow tree and indoor spaces in the barn and Sweet Shoppe. They also offer vintage car rentals for pictures. Highly recommended.”

Mihaela L. – 2022

“We were so blessed to have our wedding at your venue, thank you for taking care of us.”

Kaylee W. – 2021

“The most special day! Marrying the most wonderful man at the most wonderful place. Thank you guys so much for making our wedding so wonderful.”

Lisa C. – 2021

“This place is amazing. Beautiful venue and great picture location. The owners care also and see you as more than a paycheck. I got married last October there and they sent me a Christmas ornament for our first Christmas together. I returned a year later for our Anniversary to do maternity photos and they surprised us with a bottle of sparkling water as an anniversary gift.”

Kelsey H. – 2021

“I seriously can’t recommend your venue enough! It is absolutely stunning and the perfect place for anyone else considering and type of ceremony or get together. It is such a magical and beautiful place!’

 Sarah K. – 2021

“We got married almost a year ago at On Collin’s Pond and we absolutely LOVED it!! Donna and Phil are the sweetest people, and their home is so beautiful! We had the best wedding thanks to their thoughtfulness and flexibility! They made us feel so welcome! We would 100% recommend On Collin’s Pond! No one in town can beat the charm and beauty of this place, especially for the price.”

Devina M. – 2020 

“I just wanted to send you a special note thanking you for all of your hospitality and kindness. You made us all feel so comfortable, welcome and happy! We are all still talking about your awesome venue and how awesome you were. I wish you all the luck with your new adventure and if we need a venue again, we won’t hesitate to call. It was so nice meeting you.”

Marianne W. – 2020

“On Collin’s Pond is a gorgeous, charming venue located in the wonderful community of Middleton, ID. It is a newer full-service venue that is a photographer’s dream. It offers so many different views. Located at a private residence among so many beautiful trees. The owners are two of the kindest people you will meet. They have poured their energy into creating magical spaces for their clients to use.”

Jacque Sudbrock Photography

Wedding Chicks Publication – 2020

On Collin's Pond

Our story began 26+ years ago – a young family in a big blue house with a lot of moon dust for a yard. Move-in day was on our daughter Chelsea’s 3rd birthday; our son Collin was just one month old. At the time, the thought of creating our family’s home was both exciting and overwhelming. We were just two people with two young children, and hiring landscapers to do the job was unthinkable. So, our formula for approaching this huge undertaking was to take it one summer at a time: one summer = one landscape project. All the while our family was the focus of our efforts and we involved our children in every step of the way.

The years would pass, much quicker than we ever could imagine, and soon we found ourselves with an empty nest. Our 2 acres of beautifully landscaped property that provided our family with a lifetime of happy memories often sits idle. The sounds of family gatherings and children’s laughter are missing from our yard. It only seems right that, at this point in our lives, we share the blessings of our property with friends and neighbors in our community. To help others appreciate our property, we have provided some historical highlights of our journey to where we are today — On Collin’s Pond LLC.

The Original Love Story

Looking Back...The Early Years

In the early years as we worked our property, our children played and chatted alongside us, “helping” to create their playground with their miniature rakes and garden gloves. At the age of four, our daughter planted her “Grandmother Willow” tree, named after the character in Disney’s animated movie Pocahontas. Over the years as the tree grew it provided many summers of entertainment for our family. Under that tree there were many hours of tree trimming where our routine played out as follows: mommy would trim, Chelsea and Collin would rake the branches into piles and daddy would haul the branches off to burn. Early on their abilities and attention spans would falter and before too long they would be tussling, as siblings do, amongst the piles of branches. During one of these occasions, a very young Collin began what became the regular practice of peeling the bark from the cut branches. Much to his delight, the exposed branches smelled like watermelon, and at the age of 5 he became the youngest door-to-door salesman peddling his “watermelon sticks” to our neighbors for .25 each. The tree and our children grew tall and strong and soon they graduated from watermelon sticks to tree climbing and tree forts. In no time the tree grew strong enough to support the hammock swing in which our daughter sat, reading away the long hours of summer. Though the hammock swing went with her when she moved out, the hook remains as a reminder of the sweet site of Chelsea, usually accompanied by one of her kittens, in her swing relaxing in the summer breeze. Although our children’s tree climbing days are over, and the hammock swing is gone, our Grandmother Willow still remains. The tree stands 40 feet tall and 40 feet wide and is a testament to our children’s childhood. Today it is not uncommon to spot either our resident owl, occasional heron, or the many wild birds that take refuge in our Grandmother Willow.

Another tree worth mentioning is our mighty Pin Oak. The giant oak’s origins date back 24 years, when our son Collin, just two years old at the time, and his Grandma Swanton picked up a fallen acorn while visiting the Post Office in downtown Middleton. They planted the acorn in a pot and together they tended their little seed with love and care until, much to their elation, the following summer a tiny little tree sprouted. Once big enough to transplant, they planted their little oak tree in our back yard.  Today their tree towers over our property and continues to remind us of the blessing of family. In 2016 our daughter Chelsea and her husband Jordan used a sapling from Collin’s oak tree as part of their wedding ceremony. Their “ceremony tree” is now 4 feet tall and is thriving on their property in Nampa. For our family, Collin’s oak tree represents the multigenerational commitment and seasons of love and family.

Of the more than 100 trees planted on our property, many have special significance, as they were gifted to us by loved ones. We would be remiss if we did not mention our beautiful Autumn Blaze Maple which was planted 15 years ago in memory of our Grandpa and Grandma Swanton and was gifted to us by our lifelong family friends the Weaver/Glinski family. The sight of this magnificent maple with its rich red leaves is truly a treat during the months of the fall season.

Taking Shape...A New Decade

During the year 2004, living in the country meant our children had to use their imaginations to devise an outlet for their own entertainment. When they weren’t riding go-carts, catching frogs, swimming with kittens or climbing trees, they were digging holes. This particular summer was more noticeably slow for 10 year old Collin. We had yet to develop the back half-acre of our property and were trying to determine a direction in which to take it. For fun, Collin spent his summer digging holes – big holes…NINE big holes, deep enough to stand in! Well, we knew the holes had to go, so at the end of summer his dad told Collin he had to back-fill the holes, all but one. Collin’s challenge was to choose one hole and give it a purpose. We told Collin his one special hole would determine the direction of the remaining landscape. That one hole became our fire pit, and the fire pit became the inspiration for our backyard wildlife preserve. Over the years our preserve has attracted many wild animals. Today our property is home to owls, rabbits, quail, hawks, ducks, wild birds, wood peckers, and red fox.

In 2012, Collin persuaded us to incorporate a large pond into our landscape. Though he was only 17, he researched the science of water gardening and designed our pond, complete with an island and bog gardens. Our pond remains true to his design today and relies primarily on a natural bog garden filtration system. Our pond is home to more than 75 koi fish – Elvis and Nessie are two of the most famous.

The Greenhouse... Phil's Gift to Donna

Reflecting back on our married life, we often laugh and say that on the property is where we have spent most of our quality time together. Some couples travel, some play cards or hike tall mountains – not us…we landscape! On our property is where you will find us most days. Working on the grounds of our family home is, for us, like waking up every morning as grounds keepers at Disneyland. It is our “happy place”. To commemorate our many years of loving life on our property, in 2018 we added a beautiful custom built greenhouse. The beautiful greenhouse was built of rough cut lumber and has many custom elements which give it the look of being centuries old. A birthday gift from my husband Phil, who along with the help of our children devoted a lot of blood sweat and tears into the project, the greenhouse was truly a labor of love.

Going Forward...On Collin's Pond

It is our belief that our little 2-acre piece of Heaven can be a blessing to others in our community. Consequently, after prayerful consideration we have decided to go forward and share our property and open a small wedding and event venue in the spring 2020. In doing so, we hope to return the sounds of family gatherings and children’s laughter to our backyard and touch the lives of others as we spread the love we have enjoyed throughout our years on our son – Collin’s – pond.

We would love to hear from you!

Contact us for details on any of the packages you see here, or if you would like to know how we can put together a custom event for you. Our venue is beautifully landscaped just a few miles west of Boise, Idaho

 9142 Willowview Drive, Middleton, ID 83644